Right now, I am watching Robot wars. It's a Korean show called Super Robot Grand Prix. You won't be able to understand the site, but I linked it anyway. It's that incredible. There are nimble robots who are pwning huge heavy ones, and absolute monsters easily knocking down crazy insect-footed others. The "ring" is 2.2 metres wide and long, robots have to be between 20cm and 120cm, and there are specified ratios your robot has to be. Robots are also named. There was one called "Robot 4 Life". I thought it was apt. Robots for the utmost win.
I don't really remember where I left off. I am getting pretty tired, by now! How exhausting travelling is!! Only 10 days, or something Ludacris like that ch'all til we get back to the beat ch'all. Luda. Luda.
We spent the last day with the kids at the study room making moulds of our fingers with some Plaster of Paris and...other ingredients. Water, maybe? Anyway, it was pretty cool, and the fingers were way creepy. And while we waited for the things to set we played hangman and another word game, which I found way too fun for my age. And then we went to Gyungju World with two cousins! WOO! THEME PARK! Although tiny, it was pretty cool. There were a trillion kids there when we first got there, but towards the end of the afternoon the insane queues of tiny people with hands had left. We dotted around going to various rides, getting wet and cold from a water splashy rapid blow-up doughnut riding ride, I scared the shit out of Mintie by taking him on a GIANT CLAW THAT SPUN AND SWUNG, and then dared to go on the most 'extreme' ride of them allllllllllll. Mintie wouldn't come with me, so the cool cousin we lived with for the week came with. It was awesome. As my feet hung, we corkscrewed and looped at super speed. It was way better than the claw. We went twice. I also went back on the claw with her, which was just as scary the second time. Also, fairy floss was consumed. It was epic.
The next day was the last one in Pohang, so we finally went back to the temple we loved, that one called...Bulguksa! Just as incredible and beautiful as the last, the heavy grey sky slowly weeping it's tears, creating a dramatically different mood to the last time we saw it at sunset. Although it's not entirely original (most of it re-built in 1600s due to destroyations by the Japanese (as are most of Korea's material artefacts) in the late 1500s), the stairs leading up to it's main building are over 1200 years old. They look it too. It's gorgeous.
We then drove up a mountain near by, which on a less wet day we probably would have taken the old route 3.4km by foot from the temple, and went to an amazing Buddhist grotto. Seokguram is incredible. We were dropped off at the parking lot, and just us two walked the rest of the way in the thick mist and, at times, often pouring rains. It was way muddy. The grotto came upon us quicker than expected, a tiny Korean-style building off the side of the mountain. As we entered, it opened out like a tiny cave, into a small room, and then a circular room through another arch. Buddha's 10 disciples are carved on the walls around him, four gods that protect buddha in the archway, two guards either side of the arch, and other deities closest to us. Although the inner area is cut-off by glass to protect the site, the inner sanctum is still clearly used by monks. It has such an amazing atmosphere, the huge stone Buddha within is supposed to have reached Nirvana, and it so evidently is. It's so serene, the whole body is in the most relaxed pose; Buddha is clearly at peace with himself and the world. If I were to partake in organised religion, I think I would most likely choose Buddhism out of the big four. The western religions are "do this, to be this", whereas the eastern religions are more "be this, in order to do this"; it's so much more holistic, I think. Very cool.
Anyway, that's about it. We're back in Seoul. Ready to hit stuff up like palaces, Lotte World, and shopping before we go skiing in a couple of days. Sweet ass. I'm so up for it! Also: it's snowing quite a bit lately! Whhhhhheeeeeeeee!
XD
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Perhaps, my post will be longer than Mia's for once...
It's a silly thing, but I actually learnt that you can see light coming through a piece of paper more easily if you block out the surrounding light. It was explained to the kids as being see-through glasses, a case of false advertising so heinous that it should be punished by death.
Afterward though, I was in the mood for being judgemental withot much knowledge of what I'm talking about, so I was glad to head to an art gallery. It was called the Sonje Art Centre, and it kind of sucked ass. What kind of Art Gallery is content to have the only exhibition it has on a design thing entirely centred on Snoopy? Sure Charlie Brown and the crew are pretty nifty, but Jesus Christ. If your an Art Gallery, show some Art. We did pick up a few more Paik Nam Junes on the seen list. I tried to explain them, despite knowing almost nothing about them, to my relatives, but my attitude soured a little when one said that she though modern art was a con. Then again, Jareds explanation of why Rothko = Affecting was terrible. I do like quicksand, but I still need more.
The next day, I made a creepy finger out of plaster. That quite pleased me, because I like to freak people out. This kind of backfired me in the sense that I was the one so scared at the end of the day that I could hardly sit still in a car without feeling woozy. I think it's pretty much clear that I'm afraid of heights. I'm also a neurotic dude in general. This makes a giant swinging spinning claw a terrible place to find this out. Seriously, I was thinking about labour economics in terms of the Writers strike in America in order to calm me down from the CONSTANT SPINNING AND SWINGING ABOVE THE GROUND, but this just made me repress my terror until I got off the ride. I made a reference to the song "To live and die in LA" and then I bit Mia. I was a little confused.
I was a little bit more confused as we made our way to an end of year performance by a bunch of preschoolers. It was a fucking extravaganza. 20 different constumes, skits, choreography and a bunch of other tacky nonsense made for a difficult to understand spectacle of ridiculous proportions. They danced, they grooved and they stood motionlessly, struck dumb by the fright of stage. They all did a splendid job, and although I felt sorry for the kids, we got to eat some Galbi and it was goddamn delicious.
Korea for me is a country that I have mixed emotions about staying in. On one hand, everything is utterly, utterly aimed at satisfying Korean people. This means that I have everything that I have grown up with and find comfortable around me, and not only that, I get to be part of the majority. The feeling of being the majority is so different to living as a minority that when I hit Korea it was strange how strongly I felt it. However, Korea kind of sucks. It's full of bigots, idiots and bastards. Now, this is normal, but it feels like that they're less criticised here than in Australia and that is not allowed. Also, I hate nationalism, and Korea is the fucking world capital.
Going to Bulguksa again was as soothing as I expected it to be. It was raining, which added to the scenery but not my comfort. It's just a gorgeous open place. The courtyards and kept, styled gardens give a sense of space and security at the same time. Now, I'm not a fan of buddhism but they knew how to build to give a sense of peace and as a contrast to the hustle, bustle and more hustle of Seoul, it's an immediate relief. We went up to see Seokguram as well, a cave with a buddha in it. It radiates something that hit me as soon as I see it. I hope it's not, you know, radiation. People get sickness from that.
That was my post. A big palace, an area full of nice little shops and more shopping is to come. Then skiing, then we return. With duty free Alcohol. WOO! ^__^
Afterward though, I was in the mood for being judgemental withot much knowledge of what I'm talking about, so I was glad to head to an art gallery. It was called the Sonje Art Centre, and it kind of sucked ass. What kind of Art Gallery is content to have the only exhibition it has on a design thing entirely centred on Snoopy? Sure Charlie Brown and the crew are pretty nifty, but Jesus Christ. If your an Art Gallery, show some Art. We did pick up a few more Paik Nam Junes on the seen list. I tried to explain them, despite knowing almost nothing about them, to my relatives, but my attitude soured a little when one said that she though modern art was a con. Then again, Jareds explanation of why Rothko = Affecting was terrible. I do like quicksand, but I still need more.
The next day, I made a creepy finger out of plaster. That quite pleased me, because I like to freak people out. This kind of backfired me in the sense that I was the one so scared at the end of the day that I could hardly sit still in a car without feeling woozy. I think it's pretty much clear that I'm afraid of heights. I'm also a neurotic dude in general. This makes a giant swinging spinning claw a terrible place to find this out. Seriously, I was thinking about labour economics in terms of the Writers strike in America in order to calm me down from the CONSTANT SPINNING AND SWINGING ABOVE THE GROUND, but this just made me repress my terror until I got off the ride. I made a reference to the song "To live and die in LA" and then I bit Mia. I was a little confused.
I was a little bit more confused as we made our way to an end of year performance by a bunch of preschoolers. It was a fucking extravaganza. 20 different constumes, skits, choreography and a bunch of other tacky nonsense made for a difficult to understand spectacle of ridiculous proportions. They danced, they grooved and they stood motionlessly, struck dumb by the fright of stage. They all did a splendid job, and although I felt sorry for the kids, we got to eat some Galbi and it was goddamn delicious.
Korea for me is a country that I have mixed emotions about staying in. On one hand, everything is utterly, utterly aimed at satisfying Korean people. This means that I have everything that I have grown up with and find comfortable around me, and not only that, I get to be part of the majority. The feeling of being the majority is so different to living as a minority that when I hit Korea it was strange how strongly I felt it. However, Korea kind of sucks. It's full of bigots, idiots and bastards. Now, this is normal, but it feels like that they're less criticised here than in Australia and that is not allowed. Also, I hate nationalism, and Korea is the fucking world capital.
Going to Bulguksa again was as soothing as I expected it to be. It was raining, which added to the scenery but not my comfort. It's just a gorgeous open place. The courtyards and kept, styled gardens give a sense of space and security at the same time. Now, I'm not a fan of buddhism but they knew how to build to give a sense of peace and as a contrast to the hustle, bustle and more hustle of Seoul, it's an immediate relief. We went up to see Seokguram as well, a cave with a buddha in it. It radiates something that hit me as soon as I see it. I hope it's not, you know, radiation. People get sickness from that.
That was my post. A big palace, an area full of nice little shops and more shopping is to come. Then skiing, then we return. With duty free Alcohol. WOO! ^__^
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
He also made me realise that I am a Hedonist through and through.
And I quite agree (thnx Wikiz): "Modern day hedonists strive firstly, as their predecessors, for pleasure. But also, hedonists feel that people should be equal, and that the way to achieve that is through allowing much more personal freedom. Hedonists, in the words of an organization known as Hedonist International, "want joyful togetherness, anarchy, epicurean ideas, multifaceted joy, sensuality, diversion, friendship, justice, tolerance, freedom, sexual freedom, sustainability, peace, free access to information, the arts, a cosmopolitan existence, and a world without borders or discrimination, and everything else that is wonderful but not a reality today."(Hedonist Manifesto). This aligns almost perfectly with my views. See also: http://www.hedonist-international.org/?q=en/taxonomy/term/10
I am nearly finished 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. It's extraordinary. I have always had a major crush on Mr. Wilde. Now it is true love. If only he wasn't "into" men, and way too dead at the mo. I am glad that I have kissed his grave, though. Has anybody read this amazing, way-too-referency-to-art-and-literature-and-society-and-historical-figures-and-other-prominent-figures-that-would-have-only-been-known-to-the-Victorian-middle/upper-classes, sensual romp of a story? Truly a treat for my eyes and imagination. I think I may have finally found a book to clear away the terrible absence of reading that has plagued me for too long. I thank you, ever-so kindly, sir.
Anyway, this is a Korea blagity, so perhaps I should stick to topic. Err, well, at the moment I look like a smurf. I have a blue face mask on that one of the cousins made me wear. Not only that, she's a nail artist and did my nails last night, clear of course, after I protested against having the grotesque fake nails she so aptly applies. I have trimmed cuticles. I have never felt so girly in my lyfe. It's way strange. And yet, she looks like she could beat me up in a twitch. She spent a year in the Philippines having fun and partying with the locals. She went there to learn English. We spoke for an hour last night in the green tea bath, naked, and having stilted but absolutely not awkward conversation. She's way nice. But she learnt jack-all whilst 'studying' English.
So, in the last couple of days. What's a been a happening? Well, we're teaching kids again! Not exactly. It's more like we're doing pseudo-science - I'm not talking about homeopathy or astrology or anything like that, 'cause that would be just be annoying - with equipment like milk cartons, burnt sugar, and coloured glue. We failed to make bouncy balls. I was way disappointed. Especially after I chose an awesome lime green colour. We burnt the first batch of candy we were supposed to make. With the second lot of kids we made the candy taste real good. At least mine was. Also: mine was way artistic. Booyah! kids who made shithaus shapes. And then we were told that we should interact with the kids more, and that we weren't really there to do the experiments ourselves, but instead teach and help out all involved. Goddamn it. I like science, and doing it. Also, I'm competive. So with the weird black cylinder we made today, I decided not to make one. I'm okay with my merciless ways, if I don't participate at all. I just helped to cut out holes in the bottom of black-paper-covered milk cartons. It helped me see...things. I can't explain. It was kinda...silly.
Yesterday, we saw a temple. And then, climbed up and alongside a small-watered, but wide, river (apparantly it's huge and rapid-flowing in summer) for about 45 minutes until we got to a reasonable-sized but beautiful waterfall. The sound of water is soothing. The jagged rocks that line that waterway and the vast cliffs above are mesmerising. The temple was nice, if not one of the more ordered one's we've been too, though the newer buildings in the complex were...disconcerting. I like gravel. It makes for good sounds. Maybe in my old age I will be the ancient person who rakes the small rocks at temples. I would like that. A lot. Especially if I can play with radho technology afterwards in my little...gold-covered shrine.
We had sashimi the other day. My story doesn't end there. No, not only did I eat sashimi, but I saw what I ate, alive and literally kicking with it's fins. And then I witnessed the knife-wielding ajumma slice and dice it until it's skin, blood, bones, guts, and head were all neatly separated. Surprisingly, I felt refreshed after this experience. It felt clean, somewhat, to see what I was actually consuming. I could never do this with anything bigger than a chicken. It made me think about how I eat my produce, thinking vaguely that I could become a vegetarian, or someone who could eat meat only if I saw how they were manufactured from near their habitat to my plate. It sounds good in theory, but I find beef and pork way too delicious for this philosophy to become a reality. Goddamn my want of pleasure being of higher priority than that, say, of ethics.
Also while I was at this fish market: I saw cut-up whale. Apparently it's caught by 'mistake' sometimes, which 'can't be helped', but I am afraid that the temptation to catch it would be too great to believe that absolutely every one is a 'mistake', as termed. I also saw a huge fish (there are photos that will be uploaded soon, look for the one with the gloves for size comparison) that was on the back of a truck, which was apparently extremely rare to catch, and I presume extraordinarily expensive. It was heaps chunky.
Anyway, I'm sleepy. Lovely love! :)
I am nearly finished 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. It's extraordinary. I have always had a major crush on Mr. Wilde. Now it is true love. If only he wasn't "into" men, and way too dead at the mo. I am glad that I have kissed his grave, though. Has anybody read this amazing, way-too-referency-to-art-and-literature-and-society-and-historical-figures-and-other-prominent-figures-that-would-have-only-been-known-to-the-Victorian-middle/upper-classes, sensual romp of a story? Truly a treat for my eyes and imagination. I think I may have finally found a book to clear away the terrible absence of reading that has plagued me for too long. I thank you, ever-so kindly, sir.
Anyway, this is a Korea blagity, so perhaps I should stick to topic. Err, well, at the moment I look like a smurf. I have a blue face mask on that one of the cousins made me wear. Not only that, she's a nail artist and did my nails last night, clear of course, after I protested against having the grotesque fake nails she so aptly applies. I have trimmed cuticles. I have never felt so girly in my lyfe. It's way strange. And yet, she looks like she could beat me up in a twitch. She spent a year in the Philippines having fun and partying with the locals. She went there to learn English. We spoke for an hour last night in the green tea bath, naked, and having stilted but absolutely not awkward conversation. She's way nice. But she learnt jack-all whilst 'studying' English.
So, in the last couple of days. What's a been a happening? Well, we're teaching kids again! Not exactly. It's more like we're doing pseudo-science - I'm not talking about homeopathy or astrology or anything like that, 'cause that would be just be annoying - with equipment like milk cartons, burnt sugar, and coloured glue. We failed to make bouncy balls. I was way disappointed. Especially after I chose an awesome lime green colour. We burnt the first batch of candy we were supposed to make. With the second lot of kids we made the candy taste real good. At least mine was. Also: mine was way artistic. Booyah! kids who made shithaus shapes. And then we were told that we should interact with the kids more, and that we weren't really there to do the experiments ourselves, but instead teach and help out all involved. Goddamn it. I like science, and doing it. Also, I'm competive. So with the weird black cylinder we made today, I decided not to make one. I'm okay with my merciless ways, if I don't participate at all. I just helped to cut out holes in the bottom of black-paper-covered milk cartons. It helped me see...things. I can't explain. It was kinda...silly.
Yesterday, we saw a temple. And then, climbed up and alongside a small-watered, but wide, river (apparantly it's huge and rapid-flowing in summer) for about 45 minutes until we got to a reasonable-sized but beautiful waterfall. The sound of water is soothing. The jagged rocks that line that waterway and the vast cliffs above are mesmerising. The temple was nice, if not one of the more ordered one's we've been too, though the newer buildings in the complex were...disconcerting. I like gravel. It makes for good sounds. Maybe in my old age I will be the ancient person who rakes the small rocks at temples. I would like that. A lot. Especially if I can play with radho technology afterwards in my little...gold-covered shrine.
We had sashimi the other day. My story doesn't end there. No, not only did I eat sashimi, but I saw what I ate, alive and literally kicking with it's fins. And then I witnessed the knife-wielding ajumma slice and dice it until it's skin, blood, bones, guts, and head were all neatly separated. Surprisingly, I felt refreshed after this experience. It felt clean, somewhat, to see what I was actually consuming. I could never do this with anything bigger than a chicken. It made me think about how I eat my produce, thinking vaguely that I could become a vegetarian, or someone who could eat meat only if I saw how they were manufactured from near their habitat to my plate. It sounds good in theory, but I find beef and pork way too delicious for this philosophy to become a reality. Goddamn my want of pleasure being of higher priority than that, say, of ethics.
Also while I was at this fish market: I saw cut-up whale. Apparently it's caught by 'mistake' sometimes, which 'can't be helped', but I am afraid that the temptation to catch it would be too great to believe that absolutely every one is a 'mistake', as termed. I also saw a huge fish (there are photos that will be uploaded soon, look for the one with the gloves for size comparison) that was on the back of a truck, which was apparently extremely rare to catch, and I presume extraordinarily expensive. It was heaps chunky.
Anyway, I'm sleepy. Lovely love! :)
Nobody will be expecting a post this soon. It's like a ninja post.
WAHHHHHHHHHH
Nothing has really happened, but we have time to blog so we will!
We're in Pohang, which is a city that has a wiki entry that you'll never read. It has half a million people, and is so much more urban than Sydney that it isn't funny. Still the 25 storey high apartments, the endless groceries and general hustle and bustle. I'm not sure that Korea realises how to organise people in a way that is horizontal rather than vertical. The economist in me is sure that there's a rational explanation for all of this, but for now I'm still searching. Why can I get delicious cheap food here, like Seoul? Should I blame Aliens? (Or illegal immigrants?)
Yesterday, I saw a movie called Once. In an amazing co-incidence, I've only seen the movie Once, once. Isn't that strange? It's about an Eastern European cutie and an Irish lad getting together and yearning alot. They sing pseudo-indie singer songwriter stuff while yearning, and they don't have sex. The End. It's the kind of movie I enjoy though, so I'm sorry that I've ruined the whole fucking thing for you. Because it's probably worth watching. Once.
Also: We're teaching kids again! Only, this time we're conducting cool/lame experiments and it only takes 2 hours! Yesterday, we tried to make a bouncy ball but instead succeeded in making sticky colourful crap! Huzzah! Today, we tried to make lollies and instead made burnt melted sugar! Double Success! The kids here are better behaved but less interested. I found out that some of them want to be soccer players. It's kind of dull.
Today, we hit up this temple. It was pretty, like all the other temples, but now that we've seen the King of the Temple world, in Korea at least, it was hard to get excited. We went around the back of it down a rocky trail for about half an hour and it lead us to a giant waterfall. It could have been bigger, but it was still a sight to see. I could have sat there for hours, but the people we were with wanted to skedaddle so we did. The constant tripping is beginning to take it's toll so it was nice to do our zen thing and take a walk, see a temple and a waterfall then retire to a hot spring to relax for a few hours. My body feels so damned loose. I also feel weird because I've seen little boys naked and I'm not a paedophile. Weird times.
Anyone else following the primaries? Obama is handing out plates of ass. I hope the dude that I thought would make for awesome campaigning, given his AWESOME NAME, is actually a good politician. Sif not barrack for Barack. Obama will totally catch Osama. (Can you believe nobody knows where that dude is, or what happened still?)
Anyway, this is a big enough post for the little I've been doing. I saw fish get turned to Sashimi in front of me, I watched them bleed and gasp as they were sliced into edible fragments. I ate a live prawn, ripping it's head off as it twitched in my hands. Also, tons of crab. So damned delicious. I'm sorry for the vegetarians and other squeamish folk reading this, but imagine how freaked out Mia has been through this whole trip.
Time for me to go. Tschuss ^__^
Nothing has really happened, but we have time to blog so we will!
We're in Pohang, which is a city that has a wiki entry that you'll never read. It has half a million people, and is so much more urban than Sydney that it isn't funny. Still the 25 storey high apartments, the endless groceries and general hustle and bustle. I'm not sure that Korea realises how to organise people in a way that is horizontal rather than vertical. The economist in me is sure that there's a rational explanation for all of this, but for now I'm still searching. Why can I get delicious cheap food here, like Seoul? Should I blame Aliens? (Or illegal immigrants?)
Yesterday, I saw a movie called Once. In an amazing co-incidence, I've only seen the movie Once, once. Isn't that strange? It's about an Eastern European cutie and an Irish lad getting together and yearning alot. They sing pseudo-indie singer songwriter stuff while yearning, and they don't have sex. The End. It's the kind of movie I enjoy though, so I'm sorry that I've ruined the whole fucking thing for you. Because it's probably worth watching. Once.
Also: We're teaching kids again! Only, this time we're conducting cool/lame experiments and it only takes 2 hours! Yesterday, we tried to make a bouncy ball but instead succeeded in making sticky colourful crap! Huzzah! Today, we tried to make lollies and instead made burnt melted sugar! Double Success! The kids here are better behaved but less interested. I found out that some of them want to be soccer players. It's kind of dull.
Today, we hit up this temple. It was pretty, like all the other temples, but now that we've seen the King of the Temple world, in Korea at least, it was hard to get excited. We went around the back of it down a rocky trail for about half an hour and it lead us to a giant waterfall. It could have been bigger, but it was still a sight to see. I could have sat there for hours, but the people we were with wanted to skedaddle so we did. The constant tripping is beginning to take it's toll so it was nice to do our zen thing and take a walk, see a temple and a waterfall then retire to a hot spring to relax for a few hours. My body feels so damned loose. I also feel weird because I've seen little boys naked and I'm not a paedophile. Weird times.
Anyone else following the primaries? Obama is handing out plates of ass. I hope the dude that I thought would make for awesome campaigning, given his AWESOME NAME, is actually a good politician. Sif not barrack for Barack. Obama will totally catch Osama. (Can you believe nobody knows where that dude is, or what happened still?)
Anyway, this is a big enough post for the little I've been doing. I saw fish get turned to Sashimi in front of me, I watched them bleed and gasp as they were sliced into edible fragments. I ate a live prawn, ripping it's head off as it twitched in my hands. Also, tons of crab. So damned delicious. I'm sorry for the vegetarians and other squeamish folk reading this, but imagine how freaked out Mia has been through this whole trip.
Time for me to go. Tschuss ^__^
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